Return of the Emblem Chapter Eight: Affairs of the World

[Snike]

The third officer was a sage, it seemed. Straight away, the paladin who helped Blake the first time rushed into the fray, eliminating one of the leader's mages before striking the villain himself. Unfortunately, she was dispatched rather messily with a blast of lightning. This guy was clearly a threat, then. Blake waited for a moment, then dispatched the magic expert with a stab right through the back, just like his buddy , the rogue. Then, with little fanfare, the swordsman pushed the sage's body off of his sword and moved out of retaliation range.

[spoiler=Roll]

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3477605/

Note: Bard bonuses didn't actually apply. Ignore that part of the notes

VS activated! HP -2, STR/SKL + 2! MT/Hit Now 11/13

1,4,1 = Autohit! 15-3 = 12 Points of damage! Nestor is defeated!

Team JBR Gains 5 Points! Now 25(?).

Blake 9/15 HP.

[Mercakete]

Not too well, it seemed. Ranyin looked a little faint and though Veronika seemed fine, she also seemed a bit busy. Well, this was a battle. He still felt a little concerned for his Kigenese friend, though. A moment later, a scream rent the air and Norbert attention snapped to the source. Faatina had been turned into a light show. This didn't look good. "Oh for Mercy's sake!" Blake rushed in and killed the mage she'd injured but the woman remained down seeing as Blake moved out of retaliation range right after killing the mage.

Muttering to himself, Norbert rode over to Faatina and dismounted Rizen, looking over the horseless horsewoman before attempting to move her onto Rizen's back. He flinched and muttered as the sparking armor shocked him now and again, but she eventually had been moved. Then he remounted Riz and hurried back to a safer part of the ship, being careful to keep Faatina steady as they rode. Once on their side again, he dismounted and set Faatina on the ground for a healer to look at. "Hey! We need a healer over here!" he called over to the crewmen from the Leverager before muttering to himself, "Why does she always seem to get herself almost killed -- look at the mess she got herself into this time -- this is ridiculous -- this is the third time I've saved this lady." And the muttering continued until help arrived.

[Acacia Sgt]

Well, their offensive now began. As expected, more enemies were waiting for them, but the tables had been turned. The leader of this wave had been dealt with quick enough as usual, but managed to down Faatina.

<That sure was a skilled mage.> John noted. <Well, at least he's out of the way now.>

[John defends Raquel.]

-----

So we're finally getting closer to end this? Sophia wondered. Probably, they being now on the enemy ship didn't mean much yet. Despite so, she headed over to heal however was closest that needed it.

[Davod's HP +12. Current HP: 15/15. +2 points for Chelsea/Gytha/Sophia. Team's current total: 21.]

[Rothene]

The...the pain, Ranyin winced. Hands shaking, he took out the vulnerary from his pack. Small cuts and welts were starting to form around his flesh where the magic was gnawing at them, payment to fuel the magical aura to enhance his allies. Could he make one final push before using the healing ointment? Should he grit his teeth and bear with the pain like a true warrior?

The last thought was the deciding factor for the Kigenese mage. He would be like a proper Kigenese warrior. Ignore the pain and continue fighting. Tucking away the vulnerary for more dire emergencies, Ranyin drew from himself and released that aura of empowering magic to aid his allies.

Ranyin uses bard ability!

Ranyin 9/15

***

Mireille eyed the enemies cautiously. There were far too many spellcasters among the enemy forces. Her shield would prove useless against them...but she was a knight and it was her duty to protect without question. Not leaving her post, Mireille continued defending Robin.

Mireille Defends Robin!

[Phoenix]

ENEMY PHASE

Nestor took down the lancer that killed his man and was just about to gloat when the taker of names appeared behind him and inserted his blade into him. "Fuuu-! Aaaaaag ..." Nestor fell forward and hit the deck with a resounding thud. "W-what's ... going to happen to ..." Silence.

Meanwhile his other man was pissed but didn't know he had just been cut down by Blake. His attentions were elsewhere. Summoning up all the power he could manage, he directed a massive thunderbolt down on John and Gil. The blast came hard enough to send out a small mostly harmless shockwave.

Other people were also attacked. Like Mireille, who was met by a shaman's magic and left saturated in violent energies.

Shadrak and Aneda were both assaulted by the wyvern riders at the same time and both took hits. Shadrak was barely standing afterward and desperately clinging to his tome. That one hurt.

Mage B+ attacks John!

Overcast activates!

+2 mt -2 res

Rolls 2,6,6

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3477719/

CRITICAL HIT!

-some ungodly amount of hp (28)

KO

John hp 0/24

Mage B+ hp 18/18

Shaman A attacks Mireille! Rolls 3,2,1

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3477730/

HIT!

-8 hp

Mireille hp 13/21

Shaman A hp 18/18

Wyvern Rider A+ attacks Shadrak! Rolls 3,3,1

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3477750/

HIT!

-10 hp

Shadrak hp 4/18

Wyvern Rider A+ hp 21/21

Wyvern Rider B+ attacks Aneda! Rolls 5,1,4

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3477756/

Killer Axe activates even though it doesn't need to. 5,1,4->5,1,5

AUTOHIT!

-5 hp

Aneda hp 8/18

Wyvern Rider B+ hp 21/21

Poison!

Mireille hp 9/21

Raquel 16/18

Blake 9/15

John 0/24

---

Bert 15/15

Veronika 15/15

Ranyin 9/15

---

Gabbie 14/18

Aneda 8/18

Faatina 0/15

---

Robin 12/12

Mireille 9/21

Davod 15/15

---

Shadrak 4/18

Nadya 21/21

---

Sophia 12/12

Gytha 20/21

Chelsea 0/15

Nestor 0/18 End Tome (Rangeslayer)

Mage A+ 0/18 Bulwark Tome

Mage B+ (Aggressive) 18/18 Advance Shield Tome

---

Archer A 0/15 Composite Bow

Shaman A (Aggressive) 18/18 Poison Dark Tome

---

Archer B (Passive- Subvert) 15/15 Composite Bow

Shaman B (Passive- Aggressive) 18/18 Poison Dark Tome

---

Archer C (Passive- Subvert) 15/15 Composite Bow

Shaman C (Passive- Aggressive) 18/18 Poison Dark Tome

---

Wyvern Rider A+ (Subvert) 21/21 Killer Sword

Wyvern Rider B+ (Subvert) 21/21 Killer Axe

Cleric A 0/15 Poison Light Tome

---

Wyvern Rider C (Defensive-Aggressive) 18/18 Upgraded Reaver Axe

Cleric C (Passive- Subvert) 15/15 Poison Light Tome

Soldier B (Passive-Aggressive) 15/15 Defending Lance

Note: Soldier B was listed as Aggressive last phase but is actually supposed to be Passive-Aggressive so just noting the correction there.

PLAYER PHASE

Edited April 20, 2012 by Phoenix

[ReformBlade]

Davod uses Bard ability! Robin and Mireille gain 25% SPD and SKL!

Davod 7/15

Davod attacks Shaman A!

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3477819/

It's a bit of a one sided fight....

+5 points to Robin, Mireille and Davod!

MEANWHILE, Aneda defends Gabbie! (and sheds a tear for Faatina)

[Ether]

Faatina would have replied to Norbert's annoyed comments, but she was too busy being in a state of shock, waking only for the time it took to let out an agonized noise somewhere between a groan and a screech before being knocked out cold again by the sheer amount of pain her body was suffering. Unfortunately, with her nerves firing at a rapid rate due to the electric discharge, she was quickly woken from the short reprieves in a vicious and painful cycle.

[Acacia Sgt]

The enemy, despite their losses, were able to strike back. John was alert for any incoming attack.

<Looks like we're doing just fine. Hopefully we can finish soon.> He thought. Suddenly a source of light appeared above. <Huh...?> But it was too late, that thunderbolt was unavoidable, and struck right at him.

BZZT!

''Gah...!'' John quickly lost consciousness and dropped, though fortunately not off Gil who, having being electrocuted as well, dropped to the deck in turn, though still conscious, but panting and grunting.

And the lesson is: lighting strikes the highest ground, or in this case, person.

[Rothene]

Ranyin shook his head as another wave of fatigue struck him. He could feel the build up in pain getting close to overwhelming his senses. Later...promise, just...bear a little longer, Ranyin told his body. His vision blurred as he engaged a lone archer in a series of magical attacks...and when his vision cleared, he saw the archer limping away from him while an arrow had embedded itself in his pouch, too shallow to get anywhere close to his flesh. Not thinking properly anymore, Ranyin let lose another wave of empowering energy to his comrades.

Ranyin attacks Archer B with Slim Dark Tome: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3477828/

7+5-9 = Hit!

(4+5)x0.8=7 Damage!

Archer miss!

7+6-9= Hit!

(4+4)x0.8= 6Damage!

Ranyin Use bard Ability!

Ranyin 7/15

Archer B 2/15

***

The spell did not hurt as much as she had expected, although it still packed a punch. As she was about to call out to her foe for his weak spell, as sudden shock of pain welled up inside her. Poison! thought the knight. Aother than magic and brutish fighters...poison was another thing she hated facing. All her practice in defensive techniques would fall flat in the face of such insidious attacks. There was nothing she could do but grit her teeth and bear with the pain as she resumed defending Robin.

Mireille Defends Robin!

[Snowy_One]

"Thank you." said Robin as Mirelle defended Robin. Robin had another arrow knocked and ready to go. She lined up the shot on one of the enemy archers and let loose!

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3477835/

2, 3, 1 on Archer B. She deals something like 10 damage to it. It's D.E.A.D!

The rocking of the boat proved to be her undoing though as her arrow went high, shooting the archer through the eye and killing him almost outright. "<Damn!>"

[Phoenix]

LAST STAND

The reinforcement teams weren't healer heavy, but the available one ran over to help Faatina. It didn't look good, but magic induced wounds never did, frankly. He began to apply his healing staff to her immediately. "You'll be alright ... I think." he tried to encourage her.

Too many fallen ... the same soldier gave the retreat order again. "Oh wrathdammit, not again! They got Nestor too?! What the hell?! Gaaaaugh retreat! Fall baaaaack, guuaaaaaaaagh!" he yelled as he ran off, not even bothering to wait for the others. They weren't far behind. The wyvern riders covered those trying to escape and slowly fell back themselves. That's when the soldier ran headlong into a heavy shield and fell onto his rear. "C-Captain Oleg ..."

"I want these mercenaries the hell off my ship. MEN!!! THIS ENDS HERE!!! GATHER 'ROUND AND SLAUGHTER THEM!!!" Oleg ordered. He let his barricade come down onto the deck making a loud thud and readied his pistol. He had several other pistols holstered on his jacket that were just ready to go.

Raquel was too close now. She could SEE the target. Finally her courage took over. "It's the captain! We have to defeat him!"

"Please, try ..." Oleg remarked, spinning his pistol once on his finger before aiming it in the party's general direction. This was going to get ugly, fast.

Captain Oleg

Class: Level 3 Sniper

Raw Stats

HP: 8 STR: 4 MAG: 0 SKL: 13 SPD: 8 LCK: 4 DEF: 3 RES: 2

Simplified Stats

HP: 24 MT: 4 Hit: 13 Evade: 12 AS: 8 Defense: 3 Resistance: 2

Weapon 1: Barricade

Special Weapon: Combat Knife

Special Weapon: Flintlock Pistol

Item: Vulnerary

Special Item: Large Pellet Pouch

Overall Stats

HP: 24 MT: 4(2 if B)(9 if CK)(26 if FP) Hit: 13 Evade: 12(6 if B) AS: 8(4 if B) Defense: 3(18 if B) Resistance: 2

A B C

Class: Level 5 Bard

Raw Stats

HP: 6 STR: 0 MAG: 5 SKL: 5 SPD: 9 LCK: 3 DEF: 2 RES: 2

Simplified Stats

HP: 18 MT: 5 Hit: 5 Evade: 12 AS: 9 Defense: 2 Resistance: 2

Weapon 1: Mend Staff

Weapon 2: Dampening Tome (skl)

Overall Stats

HP: 18 MT: 5(7 heal in team) Hit: 5 Evade: 12 AS: 9 Defense: 2 Resistance: 2

A B

Class: Level 4 Mercenary

Raw Stats

HP: 7 STR: 5 MAG: 0 SKL: 5 SPD: 5 LCK: 2 DEF: 4 RES: 1

Simplified Stats

HP: 21 MT: 5 Hit: 5 Evade: 7 AS: 5 Defense: 4 Resistance: 1

Weapon 1: Slayer Sword (Swordslayer)

Special Weapon: Blunderbuss

Special Item: Pellet Pouch

Overall Stats

HP: 21 MT: 5 Hit: 5 Evade: 7 AS: 5 Defense: 4 Resistance: 1

A B C

Class: Level 5 Knight

Raw Stats

HP: 8 STR: 6 MAG: 0 SKL: 4 SPD: 4 LCK: 1 DEF: 6 RES: 3

Simplified Stats

HP: 24 MT: 6 Hit: 4 Evade: 5 AS: 4 Defense: 6 Resistance: 3

Weapon 1: Advance Defending Weapon (Sword)

Weapon 2: Advance Barrier Weapon (Axe)

Special Item: Bulwark

Overall Stats

HP: 24 MT: 6 Hit: 4 Evade: 5 AS: 4 Defense: 6(10 if ADW) Resistance: 3(7 if ABW)

C

Class: Level 4 Archer

Raw Stats

HP: 5 STR: 6 MAG: 0 SKL: 7 SPD: 6 LCK: 3 DEF: 1 RES: 1

Simplified Stats

HP: 15 MT: 6 Hit: 7 Evade: 9 AS: 6 Defense: 1 Resistance: 1

Weapon 1: Composite Bow

Special Item: Steel Shield

Overall Stats

HP: 15 MT: 6 Hit: 7 Evade: 9 AS: 6 Defense: 1(2 if SS)(-1 if CB) Resistance: 1(-1 if CB)

C

Class: Level 5 Shaman

Raw Stats

HP: 6 STR: 0 MAG: 8 SKL: 6 SPD: 5 LCK: 1 DEF: 2 RES: 4

Simplified Stats

HP: 18 MT: 8 Hit: 6 Evade: 6 AS: 5 Defense: 2 Resistance: 4

Weapon 1: Poison Dark Tome

Overall Stats

HP: 18 MT: 8 Hit: 6 Evade: 6 AS: 5 Defense: 2 Resistance: 4

B+

Class: Level 5 Mage

Raw Stats

HP: 6 STR: 0 MAG: 6 SKL: 6 SPD: 5 LCK: 2 DEF: 2 RES: 2

Simplified Stats

HP: 18 MT: 6 Hit: 6 Evade: 7 AS: 5 Defense: 2 Resistance: 2

Weapon 1: Bulwark Tome

Weapon 2: Advance Shield Tome

Overall Stats

HP: 18 MT: 6 Hit: 6 Evade: 7 AS: 5 Defense: 2(6 if BT) Resistance: 2(6 if AST)

A+ B+

Class: Level 5 Wyvern Rider

Raw Stats

HP: 7 STR: 8 MAG: 0 SKL: 6 SPD: 5 LCK: 1 DEF: 4 RES: 1

Simplified Stats

HP: 21 MT: 8 Hit: 6 Evade: 6 AS: 5 Defense: 4 Resistance: 1

Weapon 1: Killer Sword

Weapon 2: Killer Axe

Book: Triangle

Overall Stats

HP: 21 MT: 8 Hit: 6 Evade: 6 AS: 5 Defense: 4 Resistance: 1

C

Class: Level 4 Wyvern Rider

Raw Stats

HP: 6 STR: 7 MAG: 0 SKL: 6 SPD: 4 LCK: 1 DEF: 5 RES: 0

Simplified Stats

HP: 18 MT: 7 Hit: 6 Evade: 5 AS: 4 Defense: 5 Resistance: 0

Weapon 1: Reaver Axe (Upgraded)

Special Item: Bulwark

Overall Stats

HP: 18 MT: 7 Hit: 6(+2 if WTA) Evade: 5(+2 if WTA) AS: 4 Defense: 5 Resistance: 0

C

Class: Level 5 Cleric

Raw Stats

HP: 5 STR: 0 MAG: 6 SKL: 7 SPD: 5 LCK: 4 DEF: 1 RES: 4

Simplified Stats

HP: 15 MT: 6 Hit: 7 Evade: 9 AS: 5 Defense: 1 Resistance: 4

Weapon 1: Poison Light Tome

Weapon 2: Healing Staff

Overall Stats

HP: 15 MT: 6 Hit: 7 Evade: 9 AS: 5 Defense: 1 Resistance: 4

B

Class: Level 5 Soldier

Raw Stats

HP: 5 STR: 6 MAG: 0 SKL: 6 SPD: 6 LCK: 2 DEF: 4 RES: 2

Simplified Stats

HP: 15 MT: 6 Hit: 6 Evade: 8 AS: 6 Defense: 4 Resistance: 2

Weapon 1: Defending Lance

Overall Stats

HP: 15 MT: 6 Hit: 6 Evade: 8 AS: 6 Defense: 4(7 if DL) Resistance: 2

Captain Oleg (Erratic) 24/24 Barricade

Bard A (Aggressive) 18/18 Dampening Tome (skl)

Knight A (Defensive-Aggressive) 24/24 Advance Barrier Axe

---

Bard B (Aggressive) 18/18 Dampening Tome (skl)

Mercenary A (Aggressive) 21/21 Slayer Sword (Swordslayer)

Knight B (Defensive-Aggressive) Advance Defending Sword

---

Bard C (Passive- Aggressive) 18/18 Dampening Tome (skl)

Mercenary B (Passive- Aggressive) 21/21 Slayer Sword (Swordslayer)

Knight C (Defensive-Aggressive) Advance Defending Sword

---

Mage B+ (Passive-Aggressive) 18/18 Advance Shield Tome

Shaman B (Passive-Aggressive) 18/18 Poison Dark Tome

Archer C (Passive- Subvert) 15/15 Composite Bow

---

Shaman C (Aggressive) 18/18 Poison Dark Tome

Wyvern Rider A+ (Subvert) 21/21 Killer Sword

Wyvern Rider B+ (Subvert) 21/21 Killer Axe

---

Wyvern Rider C (Defensive-Aggressive) 18/18 Upgraded Reaver Axe

Cleric C (Passive- Subvert) 15/15 Poison Light Tome

Soldier B (Passive-Aggressive) 15/15 Defending Lance

Raquel 16/18

Blake 9/15

John 0/24

---

Bert 15/15

Veronika 15/15

Ranyin 7/15

---

Gabbie 14/18

Aneda 8/18

Faatina 0/15

---

Robin 12/12

Mireille 9/21

Davod 15/15

---

Shadrak 4/18

Nadya 21/21

---

Sophia 12/12

Gytha 20/21

Chelsea 0/15

ALL ENEMIES HAVE FALLEN BACK. NO TARGETS AVAILABLE UNTIL PLAYER PHASE SEVEN.

PLAYER PHASE SEVEN STARTS AT THE END OF PLAYER PHASE SIX.

Battleposts remaining: 4

Edited April 20, 2012 by Phoenix

[Acacia Sgt]

It was time, the captain himself had entered the fight, along with even more of them. It seems the situation had turned once more. Or has it?

This isn't looking good. Sophia thought. Their side had many injured. Time to do her part once more. Approaching the armored knight, she used her staff.

[Mireille's HP +12. Current HP: 21/21. +2 points to Chelsea/Gytha/Sophia. Team's current total: 23.]

[-Cynthia-]

The enemy was retreating again...Veronika looked back at her teammates. Ranyin seemed to be struggling with maintaining his spell, so she used a vulnerary on him.

Ranyin 7/15--> 15/15

Nadya decided to go over and heal Chelsea, who had been wounded badly earlier. "Things are gettin' pretty rough here, ya probably want to come back in," she advised to her fellow troubadour. Nadya used Raise! Chelsea 0/15-->3/15 +2 Nadya, Shadrak

[Snike]

Once again, the pirates were sent packing after their leader was slain. it looked like this was going to be the final push. Blake took this moment to regroup with and protect Raquel for the time being, as John, having been struck down by lightning, was almost certainly not fit to guard her at the moment. As he approached, the produced a full bottle of stimulant and downed about a third of it.

Blake uses a stimulant! MT is now 13, hit is now 17! 2/3 stims left.

[Ether]

The Leverager sailor made his way over and began stabilizing Faatina'a wounds. Or, that is what he would have done. Checking her pulse it was weak but fairly steady. When he had managed to take out his staff, he nearly took a jump when he checked it again. The woman's pulse had stopped entirely.

"Oh shit, oh shit... 'er pulse is gone!" The sailor exclaimed, getting mixed reactions from the men around him. The paladin wasn't one of their own, but the death of an ally was never a joyous affair. '... This was a lightning strike, I remember the last time someone got struck by lightning...'

It was a long shot. The healer had managed to restart a heart stopped by lightning before, but he had no idea if it had been merely a fluke... there was no time to really think on it, if he would have a chance, it would have to be taken right now, or he would lose it.

The sailor quickly applied his healing staff as close to the heart as he could manage, and began pumping as much healing energy as he could into the fallen paladin. He grimaced as the electricity discharged from the body shot up the staff and gave him a slight shock, the burnt flesh beginning to heal.

Still no movement, still no pulse. The man gave one final burst of healing energy, but it seemed to not have any effect.

"Damn... lost 'er." The man groaned in defeat, lowering his staff. As the electrified end of the rod touched upon Faatina's metal breastplate, the discharge caused the sailor to recoil backward in surprise, and caused Faatina's body to jump. The electric shock defibrillated the woman, restarting her heart with the restored nervous connections.

Faatina let out a heavy cough as she awoke, breathing heavily.

"Ay... she's alive! By Mercy she's alive!" The sailor gleefully rejoiced, moving back over to Faatina and continuing to heal the burns from the lightning strike.

"Ay... ye'll be just fine now." He concluded with a sense of relief.

[Phoenix]

Victory Within Sight

Shadrak heals Aneda. +7 hp

Aneda 15/18

+2 points for Shadrak and Nadya

Raquel uses Restore Staff on Mireille.

All status ailments cured.

+2 points for Raquel Blake and John

ENEMIES MAY NOW BE TARGETED.

PLAYER PHASE

Edited April 20, 2012 by Phoenix

[-Cynthia-]

"All right, none of our big bad warriors are gonna get past that giant shield. Let's just take out the captain and end this," Nadya said to the wounded Shadrak, placing herself in front of him.

Nadya defends Shadrak!

That's a big shield...not going to break through that easily. Veronika thought to herself, deciding to adopt a more defensive strategy. "Ready when you are," she said to Ranyin, standing in front of him with her sword drawn.

Veronika defends Ranyin!

[Snike]

Right off the bat, once the captain came into sight, Blake knew he wouldn't be able to break through his barricade. The mages, however, could handle that. He'd be of better use elsewhere, clearly. The swordsman, as a result, subsequently shifted his gaze over to an archer who was busy knocking up an arrow. After a swift approach and an even swifter thrust, the ranged pirate fell to the ground with a broken bow and a new hole in his chest.

[spoiler=Roll]http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3478151/

VS Activated! HP -2, STR/SKL + 2! New MT/Hit is 15/19.

[5,4,6] = Hit! 19-2 = 17 points of damage! Archer c is defeated!

Team JBR gains 5 points! Now 32 (?).

Blake 7/15

[Mercakete]

There it was: another opening. They kept pushing the enemy back and finally the captain came out. For Gytha, it was obvious what to do next: the captain had a whole ship of enemies for them. They'd back off if he died. Time t' finish this job. With that thought, Gytha charged at the enemy captain, sword drawn, fully intent on ending the fight then and there...when she was intercepted by one of the bigger enemy sailors. "Blast it!" she growled in frustration. She completed the attack anyway.

Mercenary skill active! -2HP, +1skl, +1str!

WTA!

((2+7)+1)-5 = 5 = hit!

(7+1)-9 = no damage

The sailor parried her slash with his axe, then struck back with little more than a determined grunt.

WTD!

((4-2)+1)-7 = miss!

Gytha jumped back to avoid his counter strike, easily avoiding it. Thank ye, Amon, fer helpin' me with me footwork. she silently thanked, glad to have learned a bit from watching him.

Knight A 24/24

Gytha 19/21

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And there was the captain. It was almost over. Gytha started the charge, but was intercepted. Hmm... Maybe I can get past that big guy if I fly... So, he decided to try that out. Norbert rode Rizen across the deck, then signaled for the pegasus to take flight so that they could try striking from above. However, the big sailor was alert and raised his axe to intercept Norbert. Merz!! He was forced to switch targets so that that axe didn't hurt Rizen.

(4+6)-5 = 5 = hit!

(6+5)-9 = 2 damage!

Norbert had forced Rizen into a dive and had to quickly run around the sailor to avoid having enemies on three sides and the ocean on the fourth, but as he dove, he'd managed to bring down Splinter with a great amount of force, easily slamming it into his target. The only problem was that this guy was incredibly sturdy so the blow hardly phased him. "Come on!" Norbert loudly agonized as he saw how little he'd managed to do to the sailor. I can't be that weak, can I? Urgh... Well, it was the sailor's turn and around this time that Norbert noticed he probably should've put more distance between him and his burly opponent.

AUTOHIT!

(6+5)-4 = 7 damage!

"AGH!!" The enemy's axe hit it's mark on Norbert's shoulder, going so deep as to nearly break his collarbone. The axehead slid out of the wound as Rizen began running back towards their allies to get Norbert out of danger, but he was already in pain and furious at that guy with the axe, embarrassed at being shown up like that, though really it was his pride that hurt more than his shoulder.

Knight A 22/24

Norbert 8/15

+1pt Norbert, Veronika, Ranyin

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gytha watched as Norbert flew in to help out and rode out with a new injury. He'd managed to do at least a little damage to the big sailor, but the most important thing was that he'd moved out of the way of the captain and another sailor standing by. "Captain ho!" she called back to the others. She was still the closest to the captain, having not fallen back more than a few paces, but the others would be closing in soon.

[Phoenix]

STRIKE

And then it happened. Raquel's people made their final push forward and didn't even give Oleg or his men the chance to attack them first. Gabbie and Aneda closed in on the mage that had fled during the last push, and with two well placed attacks, he was cut down. His final reprisal was inconsequential.

When Nadya suggested teaming up to take down the captain, Shadrak couldn't refuse. This was what he'd been waiting for. The two of them launched an all out magical assault on Oleg, Shadrak flanking him to blast him at close range with his dark magic, and Nadya taking the counter only to be shoved back by a badly wounded Oleg. He was reeling, and she wasn't, so her follow up attack left him in a smoking heap on the deck of his own ship. Despite not getting the kill himself, he'd been a major part of their victory and was proud of that fact. Oleg was still alive, but his men were in complete and utter shock. All Shadrak could say to Nadya before Bogdan's men stormed over the deck and began killing every Utka crewman in sight was "Nice work."

From the Leverager, Bogdan could see his men taking out the smuggler filth and smiled. He had his doubts about these mercenaries, but they pulled through and did their job ... with frightening efficiency. These kids had a destiny, it looked like.

Gabbie attacks Mage B+! Rolls 5,2,1

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3478224/

Killer Lance activates! 5,2,1->5,2,2

CRITICAL HIT!

-10 hp

Mage B+ counters Gabbie! Aneda defends! Mage B+ rolls 4,1,1

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3478232/

CRITICAL HIT!

-8 hp

Defend successful!

+3 points for Gabbie Aneda and Faatina

Aneda counters! Rolls 6,6,1

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3478238/

HIT!

-13 hp

KO!

Gabbie hp 18/18

Aneda hp 7/18

Mage B+ hp 0/18

Shadrak attacks Captain Oleg! Rolls 3,6,1

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3478248/

HIT!

-16 hp

Captain Oleg counters! Nadya defends! Rolls 3,1,5

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3478255/

HIT!

-3 hp

Nadya counters! Rolls 3,5,1

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3478260/

HIT!

KO

Shadrak hp 4/18

Nadya hp 18/21

Oleg hp 0/24

VICTORY

Point Average: 53

New point pool total: 499

[Ether]

The healer had told her that her heart had stopped for a short while after the initial shock was over and done with. Faatina had been in too much of a daze to say anything, but it had registered well enough for her to remember the man's words. He then went on to mend her to the point where it would not hurt so long as she stayed still, and then moved her to the Dauntless so she could rest, before moving onto the Ukta to help his comrades.

***

Captain Bogdan was smiling, and from the sounds of it, the fight was over. Faatina pushed herself up against the side of the Dauntless, though the initial pain was gone, the burns still hurt to move, and she was still weak.

"So, looks like we pulled our weight, huh Captain? Or... they did I guess... " Faatina said to the beaming man, a sharp cough accompanying her words.

"Could you ask one of your men to grab my lance for me... it's still jammed in the fallen Sage's ribcage... I'd like to not see it burn with the Ukta..." Faatina manages through another cough to Captain Bogdan, resting her back against the cool steel of the Dauntless, glad she would not need to move too much for the next little while.

"Where did that sailor ever go... I was in too much a daze when he left... I still need to thank him..."

Edited April 20, 2012 by Ether

[Mercakete]

And they did it. A barrage of attacks later, in one final, all-out push, the enemy captain fell, the crewmen from the Leverager poured in to complete their victory and the ship and her cargo were theirs. The fight had been long and their enemies had been plentiful, but they achieved victory nonetheless. Takin' a ship... Gytha walked over to the guardrails furthest from the Leverager and leaned on them, looking out to the sea beyond. Doesn't happen vera often. It feels good. ... Wonder who's gettin' promoted t' captain. 'R at least actin' captain. Captain Bogdan has t' appoint someone o'er th' Dark Utka 'n order t' sail 'er somewhere, even if he plans t' sell 'er once he reaches a port. Heharr Mr. Filat might be gettin' a promotion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riz succeeded in getting her rider away from danger so the others were able to go in and finish the rest off, which Norbert could see as Riz began to turn again and her canter slowed to a halt. "Haha! Ye--! urk.." Shooooould've known better than to let my arm move so suddenly... Norbert thougth as his cheer was cut short and the hand attached to his uninjured arm returned to helping support the one attached to his injured shoulder. I should get a healer to look at this... I wonder how Ranyin and Faatina are doing. They weren't doing so well when I saw them last. So he looked around the battlefield.

Ranyin was by Veronika. Both seemed to be doing well. Ranyin seemed to have recovered from whatever was bothering him before, so that was a relief. Faatina wasn't as easy to find. She didn't seem to be anywhere on the Dark Utka, so Norbert looked back to the Leverager. It looked like someone had brought her back over there and she was leaning against the Dauntless. She was too distant for Norbert to make much out, but she looked like she was doing better being not as charred anymore so that healer must've done his job alright. I should find some help for myself, then. With that decision and a couple clicks of his tongue, Rizen was walking around as guided by Norbert's shifting weight as he idly looked about for a healer who didn't look too busy.

[Acacia Sgt]

And so the battle came to an end. Sophia sighed in relief. We did it. She thought. Finally we can save those poor eggs.

Bit first things first, their side still had many injured, so she first wandered close by, healing whoever needed it. Soon she spotted Gil and John. The wyvern had finally risen, though not all the way, John was still out cold on his back after all. So she headed over to them.

-----

Despite the battle being over, Gil was still alert, despite how injured himself was, he still did it for the sake of his master. And then he saw the female human approaching. Yes, that same human he has seen hanging around every now and then since the last few days. Certainly an unexpected change of pace, what was his master thinking? Well, nevermind that, there was a more pressing matter. He knew already what she could do so he just relaxed a bit, and let her just approach and do her job.

-----

''Ugh...'' John groaned, finally rising. <Just like that last time...> He thought, remembering that other case they took a powerful blast of magic. <I take it the battle has ended already too.> And looking around, right he was. The Leverager crew were now here routing what was left of the enemies.

So for now, John dismounted. ''Thanks,'' he said to Sophia. ''So, what did I miss?'' He asked.

''Well,'' Sophia explained. ''The captain himself entered the fight with even more men. However, he was defeated not that soon after, and the rest of them just gave up.''

''I guess seeing their captain struck down was too much for them huh.'' John thought out loud. ''Well, at least that means the eggs are safe now.''

''Yes, isn't that great?'' She said. ''Well, I must see if anyone else needs healing.'' And so she turned around and walked away.

And so they were two now.

''Well Gil,'' John said. ''Looks like despite this small incident, everything went fine in the end, heh.'' Gil grunted. That certainly was an understatement.

[-Cynthia-]

Nadya

"Ya didn't do half bad yourself," Nadya commented back to Shadrak, who seemed to have healed most of his own wound since the last time Nadya saw him. That's a handy trick... anyway, maybe I'll get a pay raise for takin' out the captain? Better suggest it to Raquel soon.

Veronika

The battle had ended-but that didn't mean their mission was complete. Veronika approached one of the sailors who had arrived on the Dark Utka. "What's the status report on the eggs?" she asked him.

Connor

Well something- or someone had hit the Dauntless during the fight, which didn't seem like a particularly good sign. Eventually the fight moved away from the wagon, leaving Connor to wonder about the fate of the group. Maybe if I just peek outside for a moment...no Uncle would never forgive me if I got myself shot for being overly curious. he reminded himself, remaining inside the vehicle.

Edited April 20, 2012 by -Cynthia-

[Snowy_One]

Robin sighed deeply as she collapsed downwards to the deck. She had survived the fight! Without even getting hurt even! That was a new personal best for her! Not being knocked out cold or even touched was a unique feeling to be sure.

"We won?" she asked, trying to make sure there wasn't something like an army of ninja below the deck just waiting to burst forwards and kill them all. "Then the eggs are safe?"